On Friday, May 23 the sun was shining on Homewood Field as 350 Krieger School of Arts and Sciences doctoral, master’s and certificate graduates walked across the stage during the 2014 Krieger School of Arts and Sciences graduation ceremony.

The graduate procession was led by Dr. Memi Miscally and Dr. Susan Allen. As the graduates found their seats, 30 deans, chairs, program directors and program coordinators ascended the stage and faced the crowd of 2,100 family, friends and guests.

Bethany Baxter, a student at the Peabody Institute, delivered a beautiful rendition of the national anthem to start the ceremony. Associate Dean Kathleen Burke welcomed the audience, followed by encouraging remarks by Provost Robert Lieberman and Dean Katherine Newman. Our guest speaker, Jennifer Pahlka, gave an inspiring account of the future of government, dismantling the “top-down” or “waterfall” structure in exchange for a “try and learn” approach with a focus on the person you are trying to help. Quoting Clay Shirky, Ms. Pahlka stated, “It doesn’t matter what you do first. It matters what you do next.”

Following this thought-provoking message, the graduates walked across the stage to shake hands with the Krieger leadership, followed by an enthusiastic applause from friends and family.

Congratulations to all of the 2014 Krieger School of Arts and Sciences graduate degree candidates!/